Sugar Cookie Bars

5 from 1 vote

Amazingly soft bars topped with a bright and colorful fluffy frosting will make these sugar cookie bars a much-requested treat.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 523kcal

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with a piece of parchment paper with enough to overhang the sides. This allows you to easily remove the sugar cookie bars from the pan once baked.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar, on medium speed with a hand mixer, for 2 minutes or until smooth and fluffy.
To the butter mixture, add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Continue to beat the mixture for another minute or until all the ingredients are combined.
In a small bowl, add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat for 1 to 2 minutes or until your dough is thoroughly combined. It will be a thick dough.
Press your sugar cookie bar dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. You may need to lightly wet your fingertips with cool water to help push the dough into an even layer.
Bake the sugar cookie bars for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. You will want to slightly underbake these cookie bars to get that chewy center.
Allow your sugar cookie bars to cool completely in the pan, on the counter, before lifting the cookie bar out and frosting them.

While the sugar cookie bars are cooling, you can make the frosting by adding the unsalted butter to a medium bowl and beating it on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes with a handheld mixer.
To the butter, add 1 cup powdered sugar and beat to combine then add 1 tablespoon heavy cream and continue beating, on medium speed, until smooth.
Add the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar, beat again to combine, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and liquid red food coloring. Beat for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy and all the food coloring has been completely incorporated.
Top the cooled sugar cookie bar with the frosting and spread it into an even layer using an offset spatula. You can garnish your sugar cookie bars with rainbow sprinkles before slicing and serving.

Don’t skip the cornstarch, it’s the secret ingredient that makes the bars extra soft.
The water helps keep the dough from sticking to your fingers as you press it into the pan.
You want to slightly underbake them to get that chewy center and your edges don’t become too crispy or brown.